The Government of Japan has announced an emergency aid package of $3 million to support the Democratic Republic of Congo in its fight against the ongoing Ebola virus disease outbreak affecting the North-Kivu and South-Kivu provinces.

According to a statement from the Japanese Embassy in DRC, this financial contribution will be distributed to three key international organizations leading the humanitarian response. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) will receive $1.5 million, the World Food Programme (WFP) will get $1 million, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will be allocated $500,000.

This funding will support critical interventions in health, clean water access, sanitation, and hygiene. Japanese authorities emphasize that this support aims to curb Ebola’s spread in DRC and reduce risks for neighboring countries vulnerable to cross-border transmission.

“With this contribution, the Government of Japan reaffirms its commitment to human security,” states the Embassy’s communiqué. This approach, according to the Japanese diplomatic mission, has been the cornerstone of Tokyo’s decision to assist international agencies operating in DRC.

In response to multiple international aid pledges since the Ebola outbreak resurgence, DRC’s Minister of Public Health, Hygiene, and Social Prevention, Samuel Roger Kamba, has urged partners to enhance coordination and transparency in managing funds for health interventions, particularly in the ongoing Ebola response in eastern DRC.

During a joint briefing on June 18, 2026, in Bunia, Ituri province, alongside the Minister of Communication and Media, Patrick Muyaya, Kamba stressed the importance of a unified approach between the government and technical and financial partners. He highlighted concerns that much of this funding is managed directly by humanitarian organizations without government oversight, creating confusion among the public who may mistakenly believe these funds are under direct state management.

As of May 17, 2026, just two days after the official declaration of the outbreak in DRC, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus—spreading from DRC to Uganda—as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

The WHO reports that the outbreak has expanded significantly, with its true scale potentially underestimated. Challenges include high population mobility, fragile health systems, inadequate infrastructure in affected areas, and conflict-related access issues.

Adding to these concerns is the absence of an approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo virus. Despite these hurdles, Congolese authorities remain optimistic, leveraging lessons learned from the 16 previous Ebola outbreaks successfully contained in the country.

Clément Muamba